Julie Petr leads Dress for Success Indianapolis with purpose and passion, inspiring women to pursue opportunity, build confidence, and achieve career success.
Here’s what Julie shared about inspiring women and leading with intention to help them thrive:
- What does women’s empowerment look like in action at DFSI?
At Dress for Success Indianapolis (DFSI), we strive to guide women toward economic mobility. This work is powerful because when women—especially those who are heads of households—become economically independent, it lifts up their families and strengthens the entire community. Every day, we support women as they move from the “Any job,” to the “Better job,” to the “Career job” — creating financial stability and control so they can thrive in both work and life.
- What impact are you most proud of seeing in the women DFSI serves?
In 2025, DFSI empowered more than 1,000 women by providing workwear and comprehensive employment services. One area where we’ve seen tremendous impact is through our work with women transitioning out of incarceration and back into the workforce. This program, PROJECT P.I.N.K., is truly life-changing. We also launched a Career Pathway Navigator program that provides accelerated healthcare training, enabling women to earn their Certified Medical Administrative Associate (CMAA) certificate and move toward living-wage jobs.
Why is investing in women essential to strong communities?
Women make up half of the population, and in an economy that urgently needs a strong workforce, investing in women professionally is not only the right thing to do — it is the smart and profitable thing to do. When women succeed, entire communities rise.
- What gives you hope about the future for women?
In a world where women are still not equally represented in business, I am incredibly grateful for the innovative work being done around the globe by more than 100 Dress for Success network members. Together, we are working to close the gender wage gap — hopefully within my lifetime and certainly for my daughter’s future.
- What does it mean to lead an organization focused on women’s success?
It is truly a privilege to lead an organization focused on women’s success. The impact is meaningful not only for each individual woman, but for her family and the entire community.